SB 117 
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Growth as Related to Specific 
Gravity and Size ox Seed 



Mary E. Renfch 



Reprinted from Transactions of the Illinois State Academy 
of Science, Vol. 14, 1921. 



Growth as Related to Specific 
Gravity and Size of Seed 



MARY EMMA RENICH 

it 

A. B. University of Illinois, 1911 
A. M. University of Illinois, 1912 

THESIS 

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the 

Degree of 

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY 
IN BOTANY 



THE GRADUATE SCHOOL 



UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 



1920 

Reprinted from the Transactions of the Illinois State 
Academy of Science, Vol. 14, Pages 109.139. 



."ft 4- 



f "" 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ! 



DECEIVED 



OCT 80 1922 

DOCUM^lsTo DIVISION 



GROWTH AS RELATED TO SPECIFIC GRAVITY 
AND SIZE OF SEED* 

MARY E. RENICH 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

I. Introduction \ 

11. Materials and Methods: 4 

1. Selection and Separation of Seed Used 4 

2. Treatment of Seedlings 5 

III. Discussion : 7 

1. Relation of Growth to Specific Gravity of Seeds at 25° C. . . . 8 

a. Water Culture 8 

b. Soil Culture 11 

2. Relation of Growth to Size of Seed at 25° C 14 

3. Temperature in Relation to Specific Gravity and Size 

of Seed 16 

4. Some Comparisons of Seedlings in Water and Soil 18 

5. Equation of Growth IS 

6. Correlation of Weight and Position of Cotyledons 18 

7. Quintile Distributions 19 

IV. Summary 22 

V. Bibliography . 24 

VI. Tables 25 

VII. Plates . . ., 3. 20 



I. INTRODUCTION 

The influence of the size and of the weight of seed on the 
resulting crop has been a subject of investigation for many 
years. The evidence gathered from the literature in this 
field seems to show that large, heavy seeds give the best re- 
turns. A considerable number of investigators find that 
their results are rather conflicting. Deherain et Dupont 
(4) maintain that it is only when the difference in the 
weights of the seeds used is great, that there is a 
definite advantage in favor of the heavier seed. Meyer, 
C. H. (13) says that the question of advantage in the 
use of large and small seeds as associated with yields is 
inconclusive. Leighty, C. E. (11) condemns the method of 
selecting the largest seed without consideration of the char- 
acter of the mother plant; and Love, H. H. (12) concludes 
from his results that the heavy grains of wheat and oats 
come from the tallest and heaviest yielding plants. Johann- 
sen, W. (9) in his work on inheritance of weight shows 
that, in a population of beans, the heaviest daughter-beans 



*This paper is the thesis, somewhat condensed by the omission of several 
tables, submitted by the author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for 
the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 



are the progeny of the heaviest mother beans, but that in a 
pure line this is not necessarily true. DeVries (5), on the 
other hand, thinks that the size and the weight of seed are 
primarily the result of nutrition, in the broad sense, rather 
than the result of inheritance. 

In so far as specific gravity is concerned, another series 
of experiments has been carried on. Haberlandt, F. (6) 
found in working with wheat, oats, etc., that the denser 
grains yielded the heavier returns in grain, and that the 
less dense ones yielded the greater amount of straw. 
According to Wollny, E. (17) the absolute weight and not 
the specific gravity is the only true index of the value of the 
grain. Clark, V. A. (2) found that, except in the case of 
oil bearing seeds, the larger number of good seeds is near 
the upper limit of the specific gravity for the variety. He 
concludes, however, that specific gravity is of less import- 
ance than size in seed selection. 

While each of these fields has been investigated by many 
workers, a few have considered the combined effect of size 
and of specific gravity in seed collection. Among the latter 
is Sanborn (16). He sorted wheat according to size and 
then separated the large grain into two groups by the use of 
a brine solution. The yield from his lighter grain surpassed 
that from his heavy grain. Degrully, L. (3) in working 
with corn, discarded all the very small and poorly formed 
grains. He then separated out the lightest one fourth by 
means of a sodium nitrate solution. He states that the dif- 
ference of the results in favor of the heavy grain was 
remarkable. 

Practically all experiments have been carried on under 
field conditions. They have had for their chief aim the in- 
fluence of specific gravity and of size of seed on crop pro- 
duction. A few tests have been made by Kiesselbach and 
Helm (10) to find the relation of the "sprout value" to the 
yield of small grain crops. The term "sprout value" is de- 
fined by the authors as, "The moisture-free weight of the 
maximum plant growth derived from the seed when 
planted and grown in a non-nutritive quartz medium and 
in absolute darkness.'' 



Plate I. 

Average Shoot Height For Seedlings 
Grown in Water - 25* C 



40r 



I 2.3456 
MEDIUM 




1234-5 
LARGE 



Plate. IE 
Average dry Plant Weight For seedlings 
Grown in Water. -25'c. 




I 23456 
SMALL 



I 23*56 

Medium 



I 2345 
LARGE 



Plate m. 

Average Shoot Height For Sezdungs. 
Grown in Soil -25'C. 



4-Or 




Dcnsity 123456 
Size Small 



123456 
Medium 



Plate; IE" 
Average Dry Plant Weight For Seedings. 
Grown in soil - 25 *C 




The problem of finding how much growth, due solely to 
the reserve food in the seed, will take place in seedlings from 
seeds separated according to specific gravity and to size has 
not, as yet, been studied. The solution of this problem is 
the object of the experiments here recorded. 

II. MATERIALS AND METHDOS 

(1) Selection and Separation of the Seed Used. 
The common garden bean because of its ready adapt- 
ability to laboratory conditions was chosen for these ex- 
periments. In the spring of 1919, ten pounds of Burpee's 
Red Valentine seed of the season of 1918 were divided ac- 
cording to their specific gravity into six groups. This 
separation was made by means of solutions of chemically 
pure sodium nitrate dissolved in distilled water. A prelimi- 
nary test showed that few seed sank in a solution of 1.32 
specific gravity, or floated in one of 1.12. The solutions 
used consequently range from 1.32 to 1.12 specific gravity. 
They were prepared with the use of a Twaddell hydrometer, 
corrected for 60° F., and both seeds and solutions were kept 
at this temperature while testing. The solutions made up 
differed from each other in specific gravity by .05 and, in 
use, were not allowed to vary by more than .005. 

A few seeds were placed in a small tea strainer, dipped 
into 95% alcohol to remove the air film and then transferred 
to a larger strainer immersed in a solution of sodium nitrate 
of 1.32 specific gravity. The seeds which floated were re- 
moved by a second small strainer and they as well as the 
ones which sank were rapidly and thoroughly washed, and 
spread out on towels in a warm room to dry. The ones 
which sank, after drying, were stored in glass jars for 
future use. After all the seeds had been passed through 
the solution of greatest density (1.32 sp. gr.), those 
which floated were taken in a similar manner through the 
solution next lower, solution of 1.27 sp. gr., etc. By this 
method six groups of seeds were obtained. These groups 
are designated in the discussion and in the tables as follows : 

Density 1, seeds which sank in a solution of 1.32 sp. gr. ; 

Density 2, seeds which sank in a solution of 1.27 sp. gr. ; 
(range from 1.32-through 1.27) ; 



Density 3, seeds which sank in a solution of 1.22 sp. gr. ; 
(range from 1.27-through 1.22) ; 

Density 4, seeds which sank in a solution of 1.17 sp. gr.; 
(range from 1.22-through 1.17) ; 

Density 5, seeds which sank in a solution of 1.12 sp. gr. ; 
(range from 1.17-through 1.12) ; 

Density 6, seeds which floated in a solution of 1.12 sp. gr. 
By this method the seeds were exposed to the solution but a 
few seconds and, as germination and growth tests showed, 
suffered no harm from the process. 

The seeds passed through the successive solutions varied 
in length from 8.3 mm. to 18.5 mm. These were divided into 
three groups of the following respective lengths : 

Large seeds, range in millimeters from 18.5 to 15.1; 
medium seeds, range in millimeters from 15.1 to 11.7; small 
seeds, range in millimeters from 11.7 to 8.3. 
(2) Treatment of Seedlings. 

Twenty-four seeds of each group were individually 
weighed and measured. Twelve were placed in beakers of 
sphagnum, the others were planted, one quarter of an inch 
below the surface of the soil, in small flower pots. In put- 
ting the seeds to germinate, the micropyle end was always 
placed down thereby avoiding unnecessary curving of the 
seedling. The beakers and the pots were kept in covered 
metal cases at a temperature of 20° C during germination. 
When the seedlings in the sphagnum started to put forth 
secondary roots they were transferred to small aspirator 
bottles filled with tap water. This water is essentially a 
nutrient solution as the chemical analysis given by the Illi- 
nois State Water Survey (8) shows. The seedlings were 
held in place by means of fine aluminum wire and by a sup- 
port which was fastened to the neck of the bottle. The bot- 
tles were then placed into the cases where they were left 
until the seedlings were ready for use. The water in the 
bottles was renewed on alternate days. 

When the seedlings were one or two centimeters in 
height, the pots or bottles were placed into rectangular 
metal cases consisting of a lower part fifteen centimeters in 



height and a tall upper part which fits down over the former 
leaving an air space of one centimeter between the lower 
and upper parts. By this means all light was excluded but 
air exchange was not prevented. These small cases were 
placed in special large constant temperature cases designed 
by Professor Charles F. Hottes. The seedlings were re- 
moved from the cases daily, measured and watered. Dur- 
ing the period of measuring, approximately ten minutes, 
the seedlings were exposed to the light and to the temper- 
ature (20° C) of the laboratory. Seedlings deformed or 
otherwise abnormal were discarded. They were grown in 
series at temperatures 20°, 25° and 30°C. The large seeds, 
of which only a very limited number were on hand, were 
grown at 25° C only. 

All measurements were taken beginning two and one- 
half centimeters above the root origin. If the entire height 
of the shoot is desired, two and one-half centimeters must 
be added to the total height of the shoot as recorded in the 
tables. In those cases in which the cotyledons were not 
opposite, the length of the hypocotyl was measured to the 
insertion of the lower cotyledon. The length of the inter- 
nodes were taken from the lower part of one node to the 
lower part of the next higher or, in the case of the upper 
internode, to the growing point. A centimeter rule was 
used and the measurements were read to the nearest milli- 
meter. From the record of these daily measurements, the 
daily growth increments given in the tables were obtained. 

When a shoot showed no growth since the previous day 
its diameter, one centimeter below the insertion of the coty- 
ledons, was taken by means of a vernier callipers. The 
seedling was then removed from the soil or the water, the 
root was washed, superficially dried, and separated from 
the shoot. Then the fresh weights of root and shoot were 
obtained. These parts were dried to constant weight in an 
electric oven. All weights were read to the fourth decimal 
place. 

The data for the several series are given in * Tables 1 to 
47. Data are given for individual seedlings grown at the 
temperature 25°C; for those grown at 20° and 30°C, the 



data given consists of averages, taken in most cases from 
eight seedlings. In a few cases, where germination was 
poor, or seedlings were discarded because of abnormality 
or accident, the averages include a smaller number. Meas- 
urements of seedlings were taken to tenths of centimeters, 
but the calculation of averages was made to the third deci- 
mal place and are recorded to the second. 

III. DISCUSSION 

Daily observation of the seedlings made evident a strik- 
ing correlation between the amount and rate of growth and 
the specific gravity and size of the seed. So marked and 
regular is the correlation that it was possible, as a rule, to 
select the seedlings from seeds of certain densities and sizes 
by their general' appearance. This was especially true for 
the seedlings from seeds of Densities 2 and 3, for these ap- 
peared more uniform in size and consequently in the rate 
of growth. They were also more sturdy and of a deeper 
yellow color than those from seeds of the lower densities. 
Now and then a group from Density 4 would be mistaken for 
those of the higher densities. This is apparently in agree- 
ment with the results that Degrully (3) obtained in his 
work with wheat. He found that the plants from the den- 
ser grains were greener, more vigorous, and, during their 
early growth, showed a great superiority over those from 
the less dense grains. Because of heavy rains, his plants of 
both groups suffered greatly from rust and he was unable 
to make comparisons of the final growth. A study of the 
data as recorded in the tables shows that the differences 
noted in the seedlings are not differences of appearance 
only. 

Because seedlings from seeds of all sizes and densities 
were grown at 25° C the *Tables 1 to 17 and 21 to 36 have 
the data given for individual seedlings. A comparison of 
individuals is not undertaken because that would lead to 
a study of individual variation. In order to show the su- 
periority of some groups over others, the groups will be 
compared in respect to their average, maximum and mini- 
mum values. Because of differences between the seedlings 
grown in water and those grown in soil each culture will be 
studied separately. 



1. Relation of Growth to Specific Gravity 
of Seeds at 25° C. 
a. Water Culture. 

Size. — A comparison of average values for the seedlings 
grown in water, at temperature 25° C can be most readily 
obtained by a study of Tables 18 to 20; for the maximum 
and minimum values, *Tables 1 to 17. 

An examination of the average values for the heights of 
the shoots shows that the greatest and second greatest aver- 
age heights of seedlings from seeds of each of the three 
size groups are for seedlings from seeds of Density 1, 2 or 
3. These average heights are graphically shown in Plate 
I. In the hypocotyl and first internode no correlation be- 
tween average length and specific gravity of seed is ap- 
parent, but a direct relation does exist between these fac- 
tors in the second and third internodes, in that, the lower 
the density of the seed, the shorter the internodes. Fourth 
internodes developed only in seedlings from seeds of Den- 
sities 1 and 3. There is also a direct relation between aver- 
age diameter of seedlings and specific gravity of the seeds ; 
the seedlings from the denser seeds are larger in average 
diameter than those from the less dense. 

In studying the maximum and minimum values of seed- 
lings from seeds of the several densities, * Tables 1 to 17 
are used. For the small seeds, the greatest shoot height is 
that of a seedling from a seed of Density 5. The second 
in height is from a seed of Density 3. For the medium 
seeds, the three tallest seedlings of the series are from seeds 
of Density 3. The two tallest seedlings from the large seeds 
are of seeds of Density 2, the third tallest, from a seed of 
Density 3. 

As in the case of the average length of hypocotyls and 
first internodes so here, there exists no definite relation 
between maximum lengths of seedlings of the different 
groups and specific gravity of seed. In the second and third 
internodes, the maximum lengths for the several series are 
in every case, in seedlings from seeds of one of the three 
highest densities. There is a marked difference between 
the maximum lengths of these internodes in the seedlings 



from seeds of the higher and lower densities. While in 
average values, the diameter of the shoot varied with the 
density, this does not hold true for the maximum values. 

With but few exceptions the minimum values for shoot 
height and diameter are found in seedlings from seeds of 
Density 5 or 6, usually the latter. 

From these comparisons we may conclude that, for seed- 
lings grown in water at a temperature of 25° C. 

(1) The greatest height and diameter of shoot are 
found in seedlings from seeds of Densities 1, 2 and 3; in 
Density 2 or 3 more often than in 1 ; 

(2) The lower the density, the shorter the second and 
third internodes. 

Weight. — That weight is related to density is clearly 
seen from a study of the tables. The average weight values 
are considered in Tables 18 to 20. In the case of the fresh 
weights of roots, shoots and plants for seedlings from the 
large and the small seeds, the three greatest average 
weights for each size group are found in the seedlings of 
the three highest densities. For the medium seeds, the 
highest average fresh root weight is in the seedlings from 
seeds of Density 4, but the second highest is in those of 
Density 1. The highest average values for fresh shoot 
and fresh plant weights for the seedlings from these med- 
ium seeds are in those of the three highest densities as was 
the case for the seedlings from the small and large seeds. 

The maximum fresh root weight for the small seeds is 
found in a seedling from a seed of Density 3 ; for the med- 
ium seeds from a seed of Density 4 ; and for the large seeds, 
from a seed of Density 2. The maximum fresh shoot weight 
for the small seeds is that of a seedling from a seed of Den- 
sity 1 ; for medium seeds, of Density 1 ; for large seeds, of 
Density 3. The maximum fresh plant weights for seedlings 
from the small and the medium seeds are for those from 
seeds of Density 1 ; for the large seeds, for one from a seed 
of Density 2. The minimum fresh weights are usually the 
weights for seedlings from seeds of Density 5 or 6. 

A better idea of the actual amount of growth can be ob- 
tained from the dry weights than from the fresh weights. 



For the seedlings from seeds of each size group, the three 
highest average dry weights for roots, for shoots and for 
plants, are in the seedlings from seeds of the three highest 
densities. These average weights, however, do not vary- 
directly as the densities, for the highest value is sometimes 
in seedlings from seeds of Density 3, sometimes in those 
from seeds of Density 1 or 2. Plate II represents the aver- 
age dry weights for the seedlings of each group. 

The maximum dry root weights for seedlings from the 
small, the medium and the large seeds are in seedlings from 
seeds of Densities 3, 1 and 2 respectively. The maximum 
dry shoot weights, and also the maximum dry plant 
weights are for seedlings from seeds of Density 1, for those 
from the small and the medium seeds, and Density 2 for 
those from large seeds. The minimum dry weights are, 
as a rule, in seedlings from seeds of Densities 5 and 6. 

From these facts we may conclude : 

(1) That, with the exception of the roots from the 
medium seeds, the greatest fresh weights are in seedlings 
from seeds of the three highest densities. 

(2) The greatest dry weights are also in seedlings 
from seeds of the three highest densities. 

Comparison of Weights. — There is little correlation be- 
tween the relation of dry to fresh weight and the specific 
gravity of the seeds. It is apparent, however, that in the 
seedlings from seeds of Density 3 the average percentage 
which the dry weights of root, shoot and plant is of the 
fresh weights of the corresponding members is as great, 
sometimes greater, than that of any other density. 

The average percentage which the dry plant weight is of 
the seed weight is always higher for the seedlings of seeds 
of Density 6 than for those from seeds of Density 1 ; in 
most cases it is also higher than for those from seed of 
Density 3. This higher percentage shows that although 
in size and weight the seedlings from the seeds of Density 6 
are inferior to those of other densities, the seedlings from 
seeds of Density 6 appear to make the best use of the re- 
serve food in the seed. 



11 

Rate of Growth. — Not only is the amount of growth 
related to the specific gravity of the seed but there also 
exists a relation between the rate of growth and the spe- 
cific gravity of seed. Considering the rate of growth as 
shown by the daily growth increments we find that, in gen- 
eral, seedlings from seeds of the higher densities have a 
greater growth rate than those from seeds of the lower 
densities. The greatest average daily increment for the 
small seeds, 5.8 cm, was made on the second day after be- 
ing placed in the constant temperature case by the seed- 
lings from seeds of Density 6. For the medium seeds, the 
greatest average daily increment, 7.63 cm, was made on 
the second day by seedlings from seed of Density 3; and 
for the large seeds, an average daily growth of 6.85 cm 
was made on the third day by seedlings from seeds of Den- 
sity 1. The maximum daily growth increment of the seed- 
lings from small seeds is 7 cm, made on the second day by 
a seedling from a seed of Density 3 ; the maximum for the 
medium seeds is 9.3 cm, made on the second day by a seed- 
ling also from a seed of Density 3. For the large seeds, the 
maximum increment 7.7 cm was made on the third day by 
a seedling from a seed of Density 2. The average rate 
of growth often decreases more rapidly in the seedlings 
from seeds of the lower densities and although the total 
height of the seedlings from these densities is less than 
that for those from the denser seeds, growth usually con- 
tinues for as many days as in seedlings from the seeds of 
higher densities. 

b. Soil Culture. 

The data for seedlings grown in soil at temperature 25° G 
is given in Tables 21 to 40. Tables *21 to 36 contain the 
records of the individual seedlings while the average values, 
are shown in Tables 38 to 40. Because of the limited num- 
ber of large seeds of Densities 1 and 6 none were grown 
in soil. 

Size. — Proceeding as in the discussion of the seedlings 
grown in water, we find the greatest average shoot heights 
for the small, the medium and the large seeds respectively, 
are for seedlings from seeds of Densities 1, 3 and 3. The 
highest shoot from the small seeds is that of a seedling 



12 



from seed of Density 4, the second highest, of Density 1; 
the two highest for the medium seeds are from seeds of 
Density 3 ; the highest for the large seeds is from Density 
2 while the second highest is from Density 3. The mini- 
mum value for each size group is in a seedling from seed 
of the lowest density. 

No correlation exists between density and average and 
maximum length of hypocotyl and first internode. The 
lengths of the second and third internodes vary as the 
density of the seeds. No seedlings grown in soil developed 
a fourth internode. As to the diameter, we find the aver- 
age size varies as the density of the seed; the maximum 
values are also in the diameters of the seedlings from seeds 
of the higher densities. 

In so far as size of seedlings is concerned, the results 
agree in general with those for water grown seedlings, — 

(1) The greatest height and diameter of shoot is found 
in seedlings from the seeds of Densities 1, 2 and 3. More 
often in seedlings from Densities 2 or 3 than Density 1. 

(2) The length of the second and third internodes vary 
as the density of the seed. 

Weight. — There is more variation in the fresh weight 
of soil-grown seedlings than in those grown in water. This 
is especially true in the root weight. In the roots of seed- 
lings from small seeds the greatest average and maximum 
weights are for those from the higher densities and the 
minimum weights are in those of lower densities, but no 
general relation seems to exist between fresh root weight 
and specific gravity for seedlings from the medium and 
large seeds. 

In the fresh shoot weights we have the greatest average 
weights for the small, the medium and the large seeds in 
those from seeds of Densities 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The 
maximum fresh weight for each size group is in a seedling 
from a seed of Density 3 while the minimum weights are in 
those from Densities 5 or 6, usually 6. In the fresh plant 
weights we find the same order as in the shoot weights 
the greatest average weights for small, medium and large 
seeds are in seedlings from seeds of Densities 1, 2 and 3 



respectively; while the maximum weight for each group 
is in a seedling from a seed of Density 3 ; the minimum 
weights are in those of Density 5 or 6, usually 6. 

In the dry weights we find a definite relation between 
density and weight. This correlation with plant weight is 
graphically represented in Plate III. Without exception 
the highest average and maximum weights for each size 
group are in the seedlings from seeds of Densities 1, 2 or 
3. This statement holds true for dry weights of root, 
shoot and plant. Moreover, the second highest average 
and maximum weights are in most cases also in seedlings 
from seeds of these higher densities. The lowest average 
and minimum weights are for seedlings from seeds of the 
lower densities. 

Comparison of Weights. — The facts pointed out for seed- 
lings grown in water with respect to correlation between 
dry and fresh weights and specific gravity of seed hold 
true for those grown in soil. The seedlings from seeds 
of Density 6 appear to lead in making the best use of their 
reserve food as was the case in the water culture. 

Rate of Growth. — A study of the daily growth incre- 
ments also points to a superiority of the seedlings from 
the denser seeds. In the case of average daily increments 
(Tables 37-39) we find the greatest average increment for 
the small seeds is 7.56 cm on the third day for seedlings 
from seed of Density 1 ; for medium seeds, 8.9 cm on the 
second day by those from seeds of Density 3; for large 
seeds, 7.67 cm on the second day by those from seeds 
of Density 1. From *Tables 21-36 we obtain as maximum 
daily increments, for small seeds, 8.5 cm on the third day 
by a seedling from a seed of Density 1 ; for medium seeds, 
10 cm on the second day by two seedlings from the seeds 
of Density 5 and one from those of Density 3 ; for the large 
seeds, 10.1 cm on the second day by a seedling from seed 
of Density 1. 

Summing up the results from the data for seedlings 
grown in water and in soil at 25 °C we find the following 
relations exist between specific gravity and growth : 



14 

(1) The greatest height and diameter of shoot are 
found in the seedlings grown from seeds of the three high- 
est densities; 

(2) The higher the density of the seed, the longer the 
second and third internodes; 

(3) As a rule, the seedlings from the denser seeds have 
the highest fresh weight ; 

(4) The greatest dry weight is always found in seed- 
lings from seeds of the three highest densities; 

(5) The seedlings from the higher densities show, on 
the whole, a greater rate of growth than do those from 
seeds of the lower densities. 

2. Relation of Growth to Size of Seed, at 25° C. 

Size. — That a definite relation exists between size of 
seed and amount and rate of growth is shown beyond a 
doubt by the results of these experiments. For both water 
and soil cultures the seedlings from small seeds are smaller 
than those from medium and large seeds in height and 
in diameter of shoot. This fact in regard to shoot height 
is clearly shown in Plates I and III. From these plates we 
see that the seedlings from small seeds are not only shorter 
than those from medium seeds of the same density but the 
seedlings from the small seeds of the highest density are 
shorter than those from the medium seeds of the lowest 
densities. Both the numerical data and these plates show 
that there is less difference in height between the seed- 
lings from medium and large seeds than there is between 
those from medium and small seeds. The average heights 
for seedlings from the medium seeds from Densities 3 and 
5 (Table 19) are greater than those from the large seeds 
(Table 20) of the same densities. The maximum heights 
for seedlings of Densities 1, 3 and 5 are also greater than 
the maximum heights for the large seeds of the same den- 
sities. 

There is a greater difference between the diameters of 
the seedlings from small and medium seeds than between 
those from medium and large seeds. The lengths, both 
average and maximum, of the hypocotyls in seedlings Irom 



15 

the medium seeds are greater than those of the small or 
large seeds. There is little difference in the case of soil 
grown seedlings in the hypocotyl lengths of seedlings from 
small and large seeds. There is less difference between the 
length of the second and third internodes of seedlings from 
medium and large seeds than between those from medium 
and small of the same density. 

Weight. — From the data given for fresh root weight 
(Tables 18 to 20) for water culture, we find that the aver- 
age weight for seedlings from the small seeds of Density 

3 is greater than that of those from the medium or large 
seeds of like density. The average weight for seedlings 
from small seeds of Density 2 is greater than that of those 
from the medium seeds of this density. Again, the aver- 
age weight for seedlings from medium seeds of Densities 

4 and 5 is greater than that of those from large seeds of 
these respective densities. The fresh weights for shoots 
and plants vary, for equal densities, a*s the size of the seeds. 

The dry weights for seedlings grown in water also show 
a relation to size of seed. In the roots of seedlings, those 
from the small seeds of Density 3 nearly equal in average, 
minimum and maximum dry weights the roots from med- 
ium seeds of equal density. As between medium and large 
seeds, seedlings from medium seeds of Density 4 surpass 
those from the large seeds in minimum and average 
weight ; and seedlings from medium seeds of Density 5 sur- 
pass those from large seeds in average and maximum dry 
root weight. In general, however, the weights of seedlings 
grown in water from seeds of equal densities vary as the 
size of the seed. The comparison of average dry plant 
weight is given graphically in Plate II. 

Turning now to the data for average values in soil grown 
seedlings (Tables 37 to 39) we find that, except for the 
average weights of seedlings from medium seeds of Density 
2, all average fresh weights vary as the size of the seeds 
provided they are equal in density. In the exception just 
cited the average weights for seedlings from medium seeds 
is greater than that for those of the larger seed in the case 
of root, shoot and plant weights. With but one exception, 



16 



again in Density 2, all dry root, shoot and plant weights 
vary as the size of the seeds provided we compare seed- 
lings from seeds of the same density. Plate IV represents 
the average dry plant weights for soil grown seedlings. 

Comparison of Weights. — In general, the percentage 
which the dry weight of shoot and plant is of the fresh 
weight of like member is greater for seedlings from the 
large seeds than from the medium or the small seeds. The 
percentage which the dry plant weight is of the seed weight 
is also higher for seedlings from the large seeds than from 
the medium or small seeds. 

Rate of Growth. — That the rate of growth is also influ- 
enced by the size of the seed is shown by the daily growth 
increments. For water culture seedlings the average daily 
increments (Tables 18 to 20) on the second and third day 
are greater for the seedlings from medium seeds than for 
those of either small or large seeds of like density. The 
greatest average daily increments, except in seedlings from 
large seeds of Densities 1 and 2, are found in the seedlings 
from the medium seeds. The maximum daily increment 
occurs on the second day in seedlings from the small and 
the medium seeds but not until the third day for those from 
the large seeds. The same superiority in the rate of growth 
for seedlings from the medium seeds grown in soil is seen 
from Tables 37 to 39. 

In so far as amount and rate of growth are influenced 
by the size of the seed, we find: 

(1) The amount of growth varies with the size of the 
seed; 

(2) There is more variation in amount of growth be- 
tween small and medium seeds than between medium and 
large seeds; 

(3) The rate of growth of seedlings from medium seeds 
is greater than that for those of small or large seeds of 
equal density. 

3. Temperature in Relation to Specific Gravity 
and Size of Seed. 
It is not the intention to discuss in detail growth at 
20° and 30 °C, but rather to determine whether conclusions 



drawn for temperature 25° may be applied to seedlings 
from similar seeds grown at 20° and 30° C respectively. 
Because of the limited number of large seeds no data is 
available save at 25° C. The discussion will be confined to 
a consideration of average values. The data for seedlings 
grown at 20 °C are found in * Tables 40 to 43, that for those 
grown at 30° C in *Tables 44 to 47. 

a. Groivth as Related to Specific Gravity. 

A study of the above tables shows that with but few ex- 
ceptions the conclusions drawn for the relation of growth 
to the specific gravity of the seed, for temperature 25 °C are 
also true for temperatures 20° and 30 C C. At 25 °C there 
was no correlation evident between length of hypocotyl 
and specific gravity of seed; at 20°, however, the greatest 
average length of hypocotyl in seedlings grown in soil ap- 
pear in those of Densities 1, 2 and 3. 

At 25° C, the percentage of the dry plant weight to the 
seed weight is higher for seedlings from seeds of Density 
6 than for those from seeds of Densities 1 and 2. At 20° C, 
this is true only for seedlings grown in water, and at 30 °C, 
it applies solely to seedlings from medium seeds grown in 
water. 

b. Growth as Related to Size of Seed. 

The seedlings grown at 30 °C show the same correlation 
between growth and size of seed as is shown by those grown 
at 25°C. For the seedlings grown at 20 3 C, however, the 
following points of difference seem evident: 

(1) The average heights and average weights of seed- 
lings from small seeds are more nearly equal to the similar 
average values of seedlings from medium seeds of like 
densities, at 20°C than at 25°C. In a few cases the average 
values for seedlings from small seeds exceed those for 
seedlings from medium seeds. 

(2) From the total dry weight it may be inferred that 
at 20 °C the seedlings from small seeds use their reserve 
material to better advantage than those from the medium 
seeds. 

(3) At 20 °C, the greater rate of growth is shown by 
seedlings from the small seeds. 



18 

.4. Some Comparisons of Seedlings Grown in 
Water and Soil. 

a. Water Content. — The relation of the dry weights to 
the fresh weights shows a difference in the relative water 
content of seedlings from seeds of equal size and density- 
grown in water and soil. The percentage of the dry root 
weight to the fresh root weight is greater for the seedlings 
grown in soil ; that of the dry shoot and plant weights to the 
fresh shoot and plant weight is greater for those grown in 
water. 

The stems of the seedlings grown in soil were brittle 
while those grown in water could be coiled without 
breaking. 

b. Roots. — The root system of the seedlings grown in 
soil was very much larger than that of seedlings grown in 
water. In the majority of the soil culture seedlings the 
primary root soon ceased to elongate and the main part of 
the root system consisted of several long, lateral roots aris- 
ing from near the base of the main root. In the seedlings 
grown in water the primary root, although comparatively 
short, was the main part of the root system. Several short 
lateral roots developed near the base of the root and also 
lower down on the primary root. 

5. Equation of Growth. 
A study of the tables here recorded shows that the equa- 
tion of growth given by Blackman, V. H. (1) does not apply 
to seedlings grown in the dark. In the case of each seed- 
ling grown under the conditions of these experiments the 
final dry weight is much less than the initial dry weight of 
the seed. This would mean, if Blackman's equation held 
true, that there had been no growth in these seedlings. 

6. Correlation of Weight and Position of Cotyledons. 

Harris (6), in an article on Interrelationships in Phaseo- 
lus, states that the green and dry weights of the primordial 
and first compound leaves of plants whose cotyledons are 
not inserted at the same level of the axis are less than those 
of normal plants. No such correlation exists for the fresh 
and dry weights of the seedlings recorded here. Numerous 
examples of this "abnormality" as Harris calls it, occurred 



19 

but no account was taken of them unless the difference in 
level was at least 2mm ; in some exceptional cases it was as 
much as 18mm. That no such correlation exists in these 
seedlings is shown by a comparison of the root, shoot, and 
plant weights of an abnormal seedling with the corres- 
ponding average weights of the group to which it belongs. 
Such a comparison shows that the weights of the seedling 
are sometimes above and sometimes below the average 
weights. 

7. Quintile Distributions. 
An article by Pearl and Surface (14) on "Growth and 
Variation in Maize" states, on page 120, "There is, then, a 
marked tendency for the plants which were relatively small 
at the beginning of the season to have remained, on the 
average, relatively small throughout most of the season." 
Or, to quote further (page 170), "Extreme variants at the 
beginning of the season tend strongly, on the whole, to re- 
main extreme variants during the whole season." This 
tendency is said to be due to the effect of internal rather 
than to external stimuli. 

Reed, (15) in studying growth and variability in Helian- 
thus, follows the method of argument of Pearl and Surface 
and concludes that, "Plants which started in a given quar- 
tile showed a well-marked tendency to remain in that quar- 
tile during the entire grand period of growth. Plants which 
were small at maturity were generally small from the be- 
ginning, those which were large at maturity had a well- 
marked superiority from the start." He, too, thinks plants 
show this tendency because of inherent factors. 

In order to determine whether the seedlings used in the 
present experiments revealed similar traits the data for all 
seedlings which were grown in water and which were 
placed in the 25° C temperature case on the sixth day after 
placing them to germinate, were collected. A group of 
75 seedlings containing individuals from seeds of all den- 
sities and sizes was thus obtained. The heights of these 
seedlings on each successive day and the density and size 
of the seeds from which each grew are given in * Table 49. 



•It has been found necessary in the publication of these experiments to omit 
Tables 1-17, 21-36, 40-49. These tables can be found in the original thesis at the 
Library of the University of Illinois. 



20 

The seedlings are arranged and numbered according to 
their size on the first day, that is, on the day they were 
placed in the constant temperature case and six days after 
planting. Following the method given in the articles cited, 
these 75 seedlings are arranged in five groups, or quintiles, 
according to their size on the first day. In order to avoid 
having seedlings of the same size fall in two different quin- 
tiles, the number of plants in the quintiles varies. Thus, 
Quintile I contains the 15 smallest seedlings on each day 
of measurement. Quintile II contains the 16 next larger; 
Quintile III, the 17 next larger; Quintile IV, the 12 next; 
and Quintile V, the 15 largest ones. The number of seed- 
lings in the respective quintiles was maintained during 
the growth period. In but two cases, after the initial dis- 
tribution, did two seedlings fall on the separating line of 
contiguous quintiles. In these cases one of the seedlings 
was arbitrarily placed in the next highest quintile. The 
quintile distribution for each successive day for seedlings 
starting in the several quintiles is given in Tables 50 to 
54. These tables give the total number of distributions, 
excluding those of the first day, when, of course, all distri- 
butions were in the particular quintile to which the seed- 
lings were originally assigned, and also the mean quintile 
position for each day. A study of the tables shows that by 
the sixth day only 3 of the 15 seedlings which started in 
Quintile I are still in this quintile and by the tenth day only 
2 remain. Three of the 15 reach Quintile V by the ninth 
day. Out of the total of 165 distributions only 42, or 25.5% 
are in Quintile I. The mean quintile position for these 
seedlings changes from 1 on the initial day to 3 on the 
eleventh and twelfth days. This final mean quintile posi- 
tion is above the general mean, which owing to the differ- 
ence in the number of seedlings in the several quintiles is 
2.95. Only 18.8% of the total number of distributions for 
seedlings starting in Quintile II fall in this quintile. For 
Quintile III the per cent is 20.9; for Quintile IV, it is 25; 
and for Quintile V, 25.5. The mean quintile position for 
seedlings starting in Quintile V drops from 5 on the first 
day to 2.87 on the ninth day. The curves for the mean 
quintile positions on the successive days are plotted in Plate 
V. As is to be expected where the variation can be in either 



of two directions, there is a smaller shifting of the mean 
quintile positions in the intermediate quintiles than in 
Quintiles I and V. From the preceding facts it appears 
that seedlings which are small at first frequently surpass 
in growth, larger ones of equal age. 

Let us consider now the specific gravity and the size of 
the seeds from which these 75 seedlings grew. Of the 15 
seedlings which started as the smallest, Quintile I, (Table 
50), 7 are from small seeds, 1 from a medium and 7 from 
large seeds. The 2 seedlings which remain in Quintile I on 
the last day are from small seeds, the 4 in Quintile II are 
likewise from small seeds. The seventh seedling from small 
seeds which started in Quintile I is from a seed of Density 
3 and is the smallest seedling of Quintile III. Of the 3 
seedlings which, starting in Quintile I, reach Quintile V, all 
are from large seeds; the 2 largest in this case, are from 
seeds of Density 3, the third from a seed of Density 5. The 2 
seedlings in Quintile IV are also from large seeds. The seed- 
ling from the medium seeds is in Quintile III. Of the 16 
seedlings which start in Quintile II (Table 51), 10 are 
from small, 5 from medium and 1 from large seeds. The 
6 seedlings which fall back into Quintile I are all from 
small seeds. The 1 which reaches Quintile IV is from a 
large seed. In Quintile III, (Table 52), 7 of the original 
17 are from small, 8 are from medium and 2 from large 
seeds. The 3 seedlings which, starting in Quintile III re- 
cede to Quintile I, are from small seeds. The 4 ending in 
Quintile II are also from small seeds. Of the 5 which end 
in Quintile V, 1 is from a large seed, the other 4 from med- 
ium seeds. The second seedling from large seeds starting 
in Quintile III falls just below Quintile V. All of the seed- 
lings which start in Quintile IV (Table 53) are from med- 
ium seeds. Of the 5 which reach Quintile V, 2 are from 
seeds of Density 1 and 3 from those of Density 3. Ten of 
the 15 seedlings which start in Quintile V, (Table 54), are 
from medium seeds, the other 5 are from small seeds. On 
the last day, 3 of those from small seeds are the seedlings 
in Quintile I, the other 2 are in Quintile II. Of those which 
remain in Quintile V, 1 is from a medium seed of Density 
1, the other is from a medium seed of Density 3. 



Out of the 75 seedlings in the group in question, 29 are 
from small, 36 from medium and 10 from large seeds. Of 
the 29 seedlings from small seeds, regardless of their posi- 
tion on the first day, 14 are in Quintile I, 14 are in Quintile 
II and 1 is in Quintile III on the last day. The final distri- 
bution of the seedlings from the large seeds is 4 in Quin- 
tile V, 4 in Quintile IV and 2 in Quintile III. From the 
foregoing statements the following conclusions seem 
justified : 

(1) Seedlings which are small at first frequently sur- 
pass in growth, larger ones of equal age; 

(2) The size and specific gravity of the seeds, chiefly 
the former, are more definitely correlated with growth 
than is the initial height of seedlings of the same age. 

SUMMARY 

Common garden bean seed was separated into 6 groups 
of different densities by the use of sodium nitrate of 1.32, 
1.27, 1.22, 1.17, and 1.12 specific gravity. The seeds of each 
of the densities were then grouped according to length into 
small, medium and large. 

Seedlings from seeds of each size and density were grown 
in the dark at 25 °C. Seedlings from small and medium 
seeds of each density were also grown in the dark at 20° 
and 30°. 

Daily measurements were taken and from this data the 
daily growth increments were determined. When growth 
ceased both the fresh and the dry weight of the seedling 
was obtained. 

A study of the results made evident that: 

(1) Seedlings grown from seeds of 1.32, 1.27, 1.22, 
1.17, 1.12 and 1.12- specific gravity differ in amount and 
rate of growth. 

(2) The greatest height and diameter of shoot, also the 
greatest dry weight, for seedlings from seeds of uniform 
size is found in those grown from seeds of 1.22, 1.27 and 
1.32 specific gravity, seeds of 1.22 or 1.27 usually ranking 
first. 



23 

(3) The greatest fresh weight is, in general, found in 
seedlings grown from seeds of 1.32, 1.27 and 1.22 specific 
gravity. 

(4) The lower and specific gravity of the seed, the 
shorter the second and third internodes of the seedlings 
from seeds of equal size. 

(5) The greatest rate of growth, for seedlings from 
seeds of uniform size, is usually found in seedlings from 
seeds of 1.32, 1.27 or 1.22 specific gravity. 

(6) From the total dry weight it may be inferred that 
at 25° C the seedlings from seeds of Density 6 use their re- 
served material to the best advantage. 

(7) Seedlings grown from small, medium and large 
seeds differ in amount and rate of growth. 

(8) The total amount of growth varies directly with 
the length of the seed. 

(9) Size and weight of seedlings from seeds of uni- 
form specific gravity show a wider variation (more espec- 
ially at 25° C) between those from small and medium seeds 
than between the ones from medium and large. 

(10) Seedlings from seeds of medium length show a 
greater growth rate than seedlings from either small or 
large seeds of equal specific gravity. 

(11) From the total dry weight it may be inferred that, 
except at 20° C, seedlings from the large and medium seeds 
use their reserve material to better advantage than those 
from small seeds. 

(12) Seedlings grown in water contain a smaller per 
cent of water than those from seeds of the same specific 
gravity and size grown in soil. They are also less brittle. 

(13) The root system of seedlings grown in soil is 
larger than that of seedlings grown in water. 

(14) The growth equation of Blackman does not apply 
to seedlings grown in the dark. 

(15) A difference in level in the insertion of the coty- 
ledons on the axis is not correlated with the fresh and dry 
weights of either root, shoot or plant. 



24 



(16) Seedlings which are small at first frequently sur- 
pass in growth larger ones of equal age. 

(17) The size and specific gravity of the seeds are more 
definitely correlated with growth than is the initial height 
of seedlings of the same age. 



The author wishes to thank Professor Charles F. Hottes, 
not only for suggesting the problem, but also for his kindly 
criticisms and helpful suggestions during the progress of 
the work. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

1. Blackman, V. H. : The Compound Interest Law and PLnt Growth. 

(Annals of Botany, 33:353-360, 1919.) 

2. Clark, V. A. : Seed Selection According to Specific Gravity. 

(N. Y. Agri. Exp, Sta. Bull. 256, 1904.) 

3. Degrully, L. : Selection des bles et autres semences par la densite. 

(Le Progres Agricole & Viticole, 30:453-455, 1898.) 

4. Deherain, P. P. et Dupont, C. : Culture du ble au champ d'exper- 

iences de Grignon, en 1902. (Compt. Rend, de l'Acad. des Sci., 
135:654-657, 1902.) 

5. DeVries, H. : The Mutation Theory, Vol. I, (1909). 

6. Haberlandt, F. : Ueber den Einfluss das Samens auf den Ernteer- 

trag. (Bohmisches Centralblatt fur die gesammte Landeskultur. 
1866 :4, Abst. in Hoffmann Jabresbereicht Agr. Chem., 9 :298-300, 
1868.) 

7. Harris, J. A.: Further Studies on the Interrelationship of Morpho- 

logical and Physiological Characters in Seedlings of Phaseolus. 
(Brooklyn Bot. Gard., Memoirs 1:167-174, 1918.) 

8. 111. State Water Survey: Analysis of the Mineral Content of Tap 

Water of the University of 111. (Lab. No. 30486, 1915.) 

9. Johannsen, W. : Elemente der Exakten Erblichkeitslehre. Zweite 

Auflage. (1913.) 

10. Kiesselbach, T. A., and Helm, C. A. : Relation of Size of Seed and 

Sprout Value to the Yield of Small Grain Crop. (Neb. Agr. Exp. 
Sta. Res. Bull. 11, 1917.) 

11. Leighty. C. E. : Correlation of Characters in Oats. (Amer. 

Breeders' Ass. Rpt. 7 & 8: 50-61, 1911 & 1912.) 
12 Love, H. Hi: A Study of the Large and Small Grain Question, 
(Amer. Breeders' Ass. Rpt. 7 & 8:109-118, 1911 & 1912.) 

13. Meyers, C. II.: Effect of Fertility Upon Variation and Correlation in 

Wheat. (Amer. Breeders' Ass. Rpt. 7 and S; 61-74, 1911, 1912.) _ 

14. Pearl R., and Surface, F. M. : Growth and Variation in Maize, 
- (Zeit. Indukt. Abstammungs and Vererbungslehre, 14:97-203, 1915.) 

15. Reed, H. S.: Growth and Variability in Helianthus. (Amer. Jour. 

Bot. 6:252-271, 1919.) 

16. Sanborn, J. W. : Selection of Seed. (Utah Agr. Exp. Sta. Rpt. 

1892:133-137.) 

17. Woolny, E. : Untersuchungen ueber die Werthbestimmung der 

Samen als Saat und Handelswaare. (Jour, fur Landwirthschaft. 
25:75-116, 133-169, 1877.) 



25 



TABLE 18. 

Series A WATER CULTURE SMALL SEEDS 

Temperature 25° C 
Den- Average Daily Growth Increments in Centimeters 

sity IH 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 TH 

HYPOCOTYL 



1 


1.83 1.62 


3.90 


3.30 


.43 .01 












11.09 


2 


1.85 4.05 


4.47 


1.53 


.21 












12.11 


3 


1.29 3.59 


4.12 


1.45 


.20 












10.65 


4 


1.47 2.03 


4.73 


2.38 


.30 .04 












10.95 


5 


1.50 2.17 


4.17 


2.56 


.71 .11 












11.23 


6 


1.25 3.07 


5.23 


2.27 


.33 .02 












12.17 










FIRST INTERNODE 












1 


.26 


.47 


1.63 


3.45 3.13 1.59 


.45 


.16 


.01 






11.15 


2 


.40 


.77 


1.84 


3.68 2.94 1.56 


.56 


.19 


.01 






11.95 


3 


.36 


.75 


2.34 


3.60 2.86 1.29 


.40 


.15 








11.75 


4 


.28 


.50 


1.54 


3.96 3.11 1.66 


.53 


.25 


.01 






11.84 


5 


.24 


.36 


1.13 


2.81 2.90 1.84 


.70 


.10 


.03 






10.11 


6 


.27 


.59 


1.58 


3.30 2.63 1.32 


.50 


.13 


.07 






10.37 










SECOND INTERNODE 












1 






.04 


.10 .16 .21 


.41 


.35 


.25 


.(18 


.05 


1.65 


2 






.04 


.15 .05 .13 


.20 


.29 


.07 


.01 




.94 


3 






.10 


.15 .06 .17 


.30 


.20 


.08 


. 03 


.01 


1.10 


4 






.08 


.10 .09 .10 


.16 


.18 


.18 


.02 




.91 


5 






.03 


.10 .13 .08 


.16 


.17 


.19 


.13 


.03 


1.01 


6 








.10 .15 .02 


.08 


.08 


.05 






.48 










THIRD INTERNODE 












1 








.01 


.01 


.05 


.01 






.08 


2 










.01 


.03 


.03 






.06 


3 








.01 


.03 


.01 






.01 


.06 


4 












.01 


.04 


.01 




.06 


5 












.01 


.03 






.04 


6 








SHOOT 




.02 








.02 


1 


1.83 1.89 


4.37 


4.96 


3.98 3.30 1.81 


.88 


.56 


.27 


.07 


.05 


23.97 


2 


1.85 4.45 


5.25 


3.40 


4.04 2.99 1.69 


.77 


.50 


.11 


.01 




25.06 


3 


1.29 3.95 


4.87 


3.88 


3.95 2.93 1.47 


.72 


.36 


.08 


,03 


.03 


23.56 


4 


1.47 2.30 


5.24 


3.99 


4.36 3.24 1.76 


.69 


.45 


.24 


.04 




23.78 


5 


1.50 2.41 


4.52 


3.71 


3.63 3.14 1.93 


.86 


.29 


.24 


.13 


.03 


22.40 


6 


1.25 3.33 


5.80 


3.85 


3.74 2.80 1.34 


.58 


.23 


.08 






23.00 




Average 
% Wt. & Length 
(gram) (mm) 
of Seed 


Average Fresh 
Weight in grams of 
Root Shoot Plant 




Average Dry Weight 

In grams of 
Root Shoot Plant 


Av- 
erage 
Diam. 
(mm) 


1 


.2666 Id 


1.7 


.3269 


1.3800 1.7069 




.0170 


.1010 




.1180 


2.6 


2 


.2581 1C 


|.8 


.3318 


1.3084 1.6402 




.0184 


.0941 




.1125 


2.7 


3 


.2757 1( 


1.8 


.3648 


1.3596 1.7244 




.0196 


.0992 




.1188 


2.7 


4 


.2526 10 


.4 


.3197 


1.2845 1.6042 




.0164 


.0931 




.1095 


2.6 


5 


.2227 1C 


1.5 


.3024 


1.1356 1.4380 




.0157 


.0839 




.0996 


2.5 


6 


.1713 10.1 


.2212 


.9623 1.1835 




.0124 


.0657 




.0781 


2.3 


IH 


— Height whi 


?n placed in temperature case. 


TH— Total height. 







26 



TABLE 19. 



MEDIUM SEEDS 
Temperature 25° C 
jntimeters 
9 10 11 12 TH 



13.55 
13.64 
15.05 
12.34 
14.47 
14.99 

FIRST INTERNODE 

.44 .84 2.99 4.17 2.52 .84 .16 11.96 

14.08 

.02 12.50 

11.66 

.01 15.51 

14.06 

SECOND INTERNODE 
.15 .31 .91 2.36 2.98 1.19 .41 .10 .05 8.46 



Series B 








WATER CULTURI 


Den- 




Average Daily 


Growth Incremei 


sity IH. 


. 1 


2 


3 


4 


5 6 7 
HYPOCOTYL 


1 1.94 


4.32 


5.35 


1.84 


.10 




2 2.25 


4.60 


4.58 


2.14 


.07 




3 1.84 


5.50 


6.33 


1.34 


.05 




4 1.86 


4.21 


5.24 


.94 


.09 




5 1.43 


2.10 


6.59 


3.44 


.87 


.01 .06 


6 1.84 


3.27 


6.17 


3.06 


.53 


.11 



2 


.40 


.66 


2.29 


4.61 


3.85 


1.60 


.51 


.15 




3 


.44 


1.28 


2.90 


4.05 


2.51 


.94 


.30 


.06 


.02 


4 


.51 


1.10 


3.74 


3.85 


1.53 


.63 


.25 


.06 




5 


.33 


.51 


1.81 


4.16 


4.67 


2.64 


.97 


.34 


.06 


6 


.33 


.57 


1.81 


5.24 


3.70 


1.51 


.63 


.24 


.01 





.06 


.18 


.21 


.42 


1.24 


1 


.53 


.52 


.10 






4.26 


.04 


.16 


.20 


.66 


2.23 


1.84 


1 


.14 


.42 


.06 


.01 




6.76 


.18 


.14 


.16 


.84 


.98 


.73 




.36 


.21 


.05 






3.64 




.01 


.04 


.20 


.23 


.40 




.57 


.36 


.23 


.16 




2.20 




.01 


.09 


.24 


.40 


.47 




.54 


.49 


.24 


.07 


.06 


2.61 






THIRD 


INTERNODE 






















.15 


.25 
.04 




.15 
.16 


.14 
.08 


.10 


.05 




.84 
.28 










.11 


.15 

.05 




.16 
.08 


.18 
.05 
.04 


.08 
.03 
.01 


.05 
.04 




.73 
.20 

.10 












.03 




.01 


.04 


.03 


.01 


.01 


.14 



FOURTH INTERNODE 



.05 .01 .06 













SHOOT 










1 


1 


.94 4.76 6.19 4.97 


4.59 


3.44 3.35 3.39 


1.34 .55 


.20 .10 




34.81 


2 


2 


.25 5.00 5.34 4. 


,49 


4.86 


4.06 2.02 1.79 


1.84 .60 


.10 




32.25 


3 


1 


.84 5.94 7.63 4 


,40 


4.30 


3.18 3.28 2.29 


1.36 .67 


.15 .06 




35.10 


4 


1 


.86 4.73 6.33 4 


.85 


4.08 


1.69 1.46 1.27 


.86 .41 


.24 .05 




27.83 


5 


1 


.43 2.43 7.10 5 


27 


5.07 


4.89 2.90 1.37 


.91 .46 


.26 .20 




32.29 





1 


.84 3.60 6.74 4 
Average 


.89 


5.86 


4.06 1.91 1.13 


.80 .54 


.27 .09 


.07 


31.80 
Av- 






Wt. & Length 




Average Fresh 


Average Dry Weight 


erage 






(gram) (mm) 




Weight in grams of 


In 


grams of 


Diam. 






of Seed 




Root 


Shoot Plant 


Root 


Shoot 


Plant (mm) 


1 




.4407 13.7 




3495 


2.1925 2.5420 


.0239 


.1715 


.1954 


3.1 


2 




.3851 12.9 




3240 


1.8985 2.2225 


.0199 


.1492 


.1691 


2.9 


3 




.3915 13.5 




3002 


2.0435 2.3437 


.0197 


.1519 


.1716 


3.0 


4 




.3134 13.1 




3501 


1.6348 1.9849 


.0191 


.1164 


.1355 


2.8 


5 




.3290 13.1 




3259 


1.6671 1.9930 


.0195 


.1216 


.1411 


2.9 


G 




.2915 13.3 




3139 


1.5851 1.8990 


.0169 


.1148 


.1317 


2.7 



27 



TABLE 20 

Series C WATER CULTURE LARGE SEEDS 

Temperature 25 °C 
Den " Average Daily Growth Increments in Centimeters 

sity IH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 TH 

HYPOCOTYL 

1 1.80 2.40 5.65 2.25 .05 12 15 

2 1.87 2.93 5.13 2.33 .10 

3 1.13 1.37 3.47 3.97 2.33 .22 

4 1.10 2.05 4.92 4.33 1.08 .10 



5 1.70 3.00 4.40 3.63 .83 

FIRST INTERNODE 

1 .40 1.15 4.35 4.15 2.25 .70 .15 

2 .43 .85 3.73 4.25 3.18 .62 .12 

3 .30 .33 .72 2.77 4.95 3.22 .97 .28 .03 

4 .28 .27 1.23 2.75 4.47 3.17 .80 .15 



5 



12.37 
12.48 
13.58 
13.55 



13.15 
13.18 
13.57 
13.12 



5 .30 .35 1.25 3.00 4.70 2.90 .50 .13 13.13 

SECOND INTERNODE 

1 .25 .30 1.20 3.70 2.70 1.05 .35 .15 9.70 

2 .30 .45 1.52 3.90 2.38 .68 .13 9.37 

3 .03 .15 .40 1.20 2.67 2.13 .82 .38 .12 7.90 

4 .12 .30 .65 1.80 1.55 .58 .42 .18 5.60 

5 .08 .37 .75 1.38 1.30 .63 .15 .05 .02 4.93 

THIRD INTERNODE 

1 .35 .15 .25 .20 .15 .10 .15 .10 1.15 

2 .12 .28 .37 .28 .08 .03 1.17 

3 .12 .18 .18 .15 .08 .02 .73 

4 .12 .12 .03 .07 .03 .37 

.10 .15 .08 .10 .02 .45 

FOURTH INTERNODE 



1 .05 .05 

SHOOT 

1 1.80 2.80 6.80 6.85 4.50 3.50 4.55 3.10 1.25 .50 .25 .15 .15 36.20 

2 1.87 3.37 5.98 6.37 4.80 4.82 4.80 2.87 .97 .18 .07 36.08 

3 1.13 1.66 3.80 4.71 5.25 5.56 4.57 3.81 2.62 1.03 .46 .13 34.73 

4 1.10 2.32 5.20 5.55 3.95 4.88 3.82 2.73 1.82 .60 .50 .20 32.68 

5 1.70 3.30 4.75 4.88 3.90 5.07 3.65 2.18 1.57 .70 .25 .10 .02 32.07 

Average Av- 

Wt. & Length Average Fresh Average Dry Weight erage 

(gram) (mm) Weight in grams of In grams of Diam. 

of Seed Root Shoot Plant Root Shoot Plant (mm) 

1 .4957 16.2 .5499 2.4527 3.0026 .0295 .1872 .2167 3.3 

2 .5272 16.1 .6445 2.5433 3.1878 .0331 .2059 .2391 3.5 

3 .5174 16.9 .3644 2.6313 2.9957 .0271 .2099 .2370 3.5 

4 .3966 15.8 .3347 2.1359 2.4706 .0193 .1629 .1822 3.1 

5 .4147 15.3 .2699 2.1988 2.4687 .0189 .1699 .1888 3.2 



28 



TABLE 37 



Series D 








SOIL CULTURE 








SM 


ALL S 


>EEDS 




















Temperature 


25°C 


Den- 




Average Daily Growth Increments in Centimeters 








sity 


IH 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 6 
HYPOCOTYL 


7 


8 


9 


10 


11 


TH 


1 


1.63 


2.40 


5.37 


5.08 


.26 














14.76 


2 


2.11 


3.70 


5.60 


.98 


.04 














12.43 


3 


2.26 


3.55 


4.61 


1.74 


.10 














12.26 


4 


2.11 


2.79 


6.55 


2.75 


.14 














14.34 


5 


1.29 


2.58 


5.71 


4.13 


.37 














14.08 


6 


2.36 


3.26 


5.70 


1.89 


.06 














13.27 












FIRST INTERNODE 












1 




.23 


.53 


2.31 


3.94 


1.77 .51 


11 


.03 








9.47 


2 




.45 


1.38 


3.05 


2.58 


.84 .25 


07 










8.62 


3 




.41 


1.11 


2.59 


2.49 


1.18 .32 


08 


.01 








8.19 


4 




.31 


.91 


2.85 


3.29 


1.14 .21 


OS 


.01 








8.80 


5 




.24 


.53 


1.56 


2.99 


2.02 .46 


15 










7.95 


6 




.36 


.76 


2.61 


2.94 


1.06 .17 


03 










7.91 












SECOND INTERNO] 


)E 












1 








.16 


.18 


.26 .57 


49 


.21 








1.87 


2 






.11 


.17 


.14 


.30 .50 


21 


.06 


.01 






1.54 


3 






.01 


.11 


.18 


.14 .18 


Hi 


.05 


.01 






.84 


4 






.03 


.14 


.19 


.21 .35 


16 


.06 


.01 


.01 




1.16 


5 








.09 


.12 


.09 .05 


1(1 


.01 


.01 


(11 




.48 


6 






.11 


.16 


.16 


.13 .10 












.66 












THIRD INTERNOI 


)E 












1 












.03 . 


(14 


.03 








.10 


2 












.04 . 


(11 


.01 


.01 






.10 


3 












.03 . 


(11 










.04 


4 












.01 . 


1)1 


.01 








.06 


5 






















.01 


.01 


6 












SHOOT 


03 










.03 


1 


1.63 


2.64 


5.90 


7.56 


4.38 


2.03 1.11 


67 


.27 








26.20 


2 


2.11 


4.15 


7.10 


4.20 


2.75 


1.14 .79 


35 


.08 


.02 






22.69 


3 


2.26 


3.96 


5.74 


4.44 


2.76 


1.31 .53 


25 


.06 


.01 






21.32 


4 


2.11 


3.10 


7.49 


5.74 


3.61 


1.35 .58 


27 


.09 


.01 


(11 




24.36 


5 


1.29 


2.81 


6.24 


5.77 


3.49 


2.11 .51 


25 


.01 


.01 


01 


.01 


22.51 


6 


2.36 


3.61 


6.46 


4.61 


3.14 


1.21 .30 


16 










21.85 




Average 


















Av- 




Wt. 


& Length 


Average Fresh 




Average Dry Weight 


erage 




(gram) ( 


mm) 


Weight in grams of 




In 


grams 


of 




Diam. 




of Seed 


Root Shoot Plant 




Root 


Shoot 


Plant 


(mm) 


1 


.2881 11.0 


.3424 


1 


6683 2.0107 




.0200 


.1091 




.1291 


2.8 


2 


.2665 10.7 


.3252 


1. 


5319 1.8571 




.0219 


.0994 




.1213 


2.8 


3 


.2444 10.8 


.2609 


1 


4573 1.7182 




.0190 


.0907 




.1097 


2.7 


4 


.2429 10.5 


.2203 


1 


4990 1.7193 




.0163 


.0937 




.1100 


2.5 


5 


.2164 10.3 


.1504 


1. 


2380 1.3884 




.0148 


.0801 




.0949 


2.5 


6 


.1983 10.8 


.1343 


1 


1577 1.2920 




.0157 


.0762 




.0919 


2.4 



29 

TABLE 38 

Series E SOIL CULTURE MEDIUM SEEDS 

Temperature 25 °C 
Den- Average Daily Growth Increments in Centimeters 

sity IH 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 TH 

HYPOCOTYL 

1 2.84 4.39 6.27 1.70 15.20 

2 2.67 4.37 5.96 1.99 .27 15.26 

3 2.29 3.53 8.11 4.07 .19 18.19 

4 2.54 3.21 7.03 2.86 .15 15.79 

5 2.10 3.21 8.03 3.67 .39 .04 17.44 

6 3.14 5.04 6.48 .68 .04 15.38 

FIRST INTERNODE 

1 .41 1.31 3.24 2.91 1.21 .49 .15 9.73 

2 .44 1.51 3.23 3.06 .67 .27 .07 9.26 

3 .29 .79 3.19 3.88 1.89 .56 .17 .01 10.78 

4 .40 1.06 3.40 3.14 1.13 .42 .15 9.70 

5 .33 .80 2.74 4.30 2.27 .40 .11 .03 10.99 

6 .62 1.54 4.30 3.12 .92 .26 .06 .04 10.86 

SECOND INTERNODE 

1 .03 .22 .29 .85 2.13 1.40 .19 .07 5.18 

2 .03 .27 .34 .93 1.46 .86 .26 .01 4.16 

3 .20 .36 .51 1.11 1.03 .31 .19 .03 3.74 

4 .24 .23 .32 .84 .60 .20 .01 2.44 

5 .13 .23 .37 .56 .79 .31 .03 .01 2.43 

6 .04 .18 .30 .40 .44 .40 .20 .06 2.02 

THIRD INTERNODE 

1 .13 .18 .01 .01 .33 

2 .03 .09 .07 .04 .04 .27 

3 .05 .09 .07 .21 

4 .04 .04 .03 .10 

5 .04 .01 .01 .01 .07 

6 .02 .02 .04 

SHOOT 

1 2.84 4.80 7.61 5.16 3.20 2.06 2.74 1.73 .20 .09 30.43 

2 2.67 4.81 7.50 5.49 3.67 1.63 1.81 1.00 .30 .06 28.94 

3 2.29 3.81 8.90 7.46 4.43 2.40 1.68 1.25 .41 .26 .02 32.91 

4 2.54 3.61 8.09 6.46 3.53 1.44 1.26 .81 .25 .04 28.03 

5 2.10 3.54 8.83 6.54 4.91 2.69 .96 .94 .36 .04 .03 30.94 

6 3.14 5.66 8.06 5.16 3.46 1.32 .70 .46 .36 .08 28.30 





Average 














Av- 




Wt. & 


Length 


Average Fresh 


Average Dry Weight 


erage 




(gram) 


(mm) 


Weight in grams of 


In 


grams 


of 


Diam. 




of 


Seed 


Root 


Shoot 


Plant 


Root 


Shoot 


Plant 


(mm) 


1 


.4176 


13.3 


.4172 


2.38-18 


2.8020 


.0294 


.1630 


.1924 


3.3 


2 


.4215 


13.3 


.4485 


2.5520 


3.0005 


.0327 


.1659 


.1986 


3.2 


3 


.3579 


13.3 


.3072 


2.4195 


2.7567 


.0228 


.1407 


.1635 


3.1 


4 


.3354 


13.0 


.3574 


2.0892 


2.4466 


.0266 


.1293 


.1559 


3.1 


5 


.3334 


13.2 


.2886 


2.0904 


2.3790 


.0235 


.1288 


.1523 


3.0 


6 


.3072 


13.4 


.5046 


1.9502 


2.4548 


.0294 


.1206 


.1500 


3.0 



30 



Series F 



TABLE 39 

SOIL CULTURE 



LARGE SEEDS 
Temperature 25 °C 



Den- 


Average Dail 


y Growth Increments in Centimeters 






sity 


IH 1 


2 


3 


4 5 6 7 
HYPOCOTYL 


8 


9 10 


11 


TH 


2 


2.17 3.17 


5.90 


2.07 


.11 








13.42 


3 


2.22 2.75 


5.25 


3.60 


.27 








14.08 


4 


2.93 5.07 


4.83 


.53 










13.36 


5 


2.53 3.33 


6.25 


2.60 


.18 

FIRST INTERNODE 








14.90 


2 


.53 


1.67 


3.99 


3.53 1.14 .44 .14 


.03 


.01 




11.48 


3 


.33 


.80 


2.65 


4.63 2.50 .67 .15 








11.73 


4 


.63 


2.23 


3.63 


2.83 1.03 .23 .13 








10.73 


5 


.38 


1.08 


3.35 


3.70 1.32 .18 .07 
SECOND INTERNODE 


.02 






10.10 


2 




.10 


.27 


.49 1.39 1.49 .54 


.19 


.04 




4.50 


3 






.15 


.33 .92 2.33 1.77 


.45 


.03 




5.98 


4 




.03 


.23 


.47 .83 .90 .43 


.07 






2.97 


5 






.27 


.40 .63 1.12 .43 
THIRD INTERNODE 


.20 


.01 




3.06 


2 








.04 .13 .07 


.03 


.03 




.30 


3 








.05 .10 .15 


.07 






.37 


4 








.03 .07 .03 


.07 






.20 


5 








.12 .02 .05 
SHOOT 








.18 


2 


2.17 3.70 


7.67 


6.33 


4.13 2.57 2.06 .76 


.24 


.09 




29.71 


3 


2.22 3.08 


6.05 


6.40 


5.23 3.47 3.10 2.10 


.52 


.03 




32.17 


4 


2.93 5.70 


7.10 


4.40 


3.30 1.90 1.20 .60 


.13 






27.27 


5 


2.53 3.72 


7.33 


6.22 


4.28 1.95 1.42 .52 


.27 






28.25 




Average 












Av- 




Wt. & Length 


Average Fresh Average 


Dry Weight 


erage 




(gram) (] 


mm) 


Weight in grams of 


In I 


grams of 




Diam. 




of Seed 


Root Shoot Plant 


Root 


Shoot Plant 


(mm) 


2 


.4421 15.6 


.2043 


2.4114 2.6157 


.0287 


.1719 


.2006 


3.4 


3 


.4658 16.2 


.4839 


2.7125 3.1964 


.0360 


.1904 


.2264 


3.3 


4 


.4162 15.7 


.6050 


2.5739 3.1790 


.0310 


.1718 


.2028 


3. a 


5 


.3887 15.6 


.3402 


2.3250 2.6652 


.0260 


.1585 


.1845 


3.1 



The cost of printing necessitates the omission of the data from which the 
following tables are derived: 

TABLE 50 

Quintile Distribution on Successive Days for 
Seedlings Starting on Quintile I. 



Quintile 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


11 12 


Total* 


I 


15 


8 


8 


5 


4 


3 


2 


3 


3 


2 


2 2 


42 


n 





6 


6 


7 


7 


6 


5 


5 


4 


5 


4 4 


59- 


in 





1 





2 


4 


4 


5 


3 


3 


3 


4 4 


3£ 


IV 











1 





2 


2 


2 


2 


2 


2 2 


15 


V 








1 











1 


2 


3 


3 


3 3 


16. 
























Grand Total 165 


Mean Quintile 


Position 






















1.00 


1.53 


1.67 1.93 2.00 2.33 2.67 


2.67 


2.87 


2.93 


3.00 3.00 





TABLE 51 

Quintile Distribution on Successive Days for 
Seedlings Starting on Quintile II. 



Quintile 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


11 12 


Total* 


I 





5 


4 


7 


7 


6 


6 


6 


6 


6 


6 6 


65 


II 


16 


3 


4 


1 


1 


3 


3 


2 


4 


4 


4 4 


3$ 


III 





8 


7 


7 


6 


4 


4 


6 


4 


5 


5 5 


61 


IV 








1 


1 


1 


3 


3 


2 


2 


1 


1 1 


16. 


V 














1 




















t 
























Grand Total 176. 



Mean Quintile Position 
2.00 2.19 2.31 



2.13 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.13 2.06 2.06 2.06 



31 



TABLE 52 



Quintile Distribution on Successive Days 
Seedlings Starting on Quintile III. 



Quintile 


1 


2 


1 





2 


II 





5 


III 


17 


7 


IV 





3 


V 









5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


11 12 


Total* 


3 


1 


3 


3 


3 


3 


3 3 


30 


4 


2 


4 


4 


3 


3 


4 1 


43 


1 


1 


3 


3 


4 


4 


3 3 


39 


li 


1 


2 


2 


2 


2 


2 2 


32 


3 


(i 


5 


5 


5 


5 


5 5 
Grand 


43 
Total 187 



Moan Quintile Position 

3.(10 2. (if) 3.00 3.12 3.12 3.18 3.12 3.12 3.18 



3.18 3.12 3.12 



TABLE 53 



Quintile Distribution on Successive Days for 
Seedlings Starting on Quintile IV. 



Quintile 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


(i 


7 


8 


9 


10 


11 12 


Total* 


I 








I 


1 


1 





2 


1 


1 


1 


1 1 


10 


11 





2 





I) 


1 


2 





1 


1 


1 


1 1 


10 


III 





1 


3 


2 


2 


2 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 1 


10 


IV 


!2 


4 


1 


3 


2 


2 


2 


3 


1 


4 


4 4 


33 


V 


(1 


5 


7 


6 


(i 


6 


7 


(i 


5 


.") 


5 5 


63 
























Grand Total 132 



Mean Quintile Position 

4.00 4.00 1.08 4.09 3.92 1.00 



4.00 4.00 3.92 3.92 3.92 3.92 



TABLE 54 



Quintile Distribution on Successive Days foi 
Seedlings Starting on Quintile V. 



Quintile 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


11 12 


Total* 


I 

















2 


2 


2 


2 


3 


3 3 


17 


II 








2 


3 


3 


3 


4 


4 


4 


3 


3 3 


32 


III 








2 


4 


4 


3 


4 


1 


5 


4 


4 4 


38 


IV 





5 


5 


2 


3 


4 


3 


3 


2 


3 


3 3 


36 


V 


15 


10 


6 





5 


3 


2 


2 


2 


2 


2 2 


42 
























Grand Total 165 



Mean Quintile Position 

5.00 4.67 4.00 3.73 3.67 3.20 2.93 
♦Total distribution exclusive of First day. 



2.93 2.87 2.87 2.87 2.87 



VITA 

The author received her secondary education at her 
native city, Woodstock, Illinois. She graduated from the 
Illinois State Normal University in 1902 after which she 
taught High School Mathematics and Science for six years. 
A year and a half was then spent teaching under the Pres- 
byterian Mission Board, in the mountains of Tennessee. 
The degree of A. B. was received from the University of 
Illinois in 1911, and that of A. M. from the same Uni- 
versity in 1912. Two years were spent as Instructor of 
Mathematics and Physics at Maryville College, and one 
year as Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Tusculum 
College. Since 1916 she has been an Assistant in Botany at 
the University of Illinois, assisting during the past year 
and a half chiefly in Plant Physiology. 



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